caring

[ kair-ing ]

adjective

1. feeling or showing care for, concern about, or attentiveness to other people's needs; compassionate; thoughtful:

   I often speak of our desire to build a smart and caring nation that nurtures its citizens.

   He's such a caring person and a great friend to me.

2. relating to the task of identifying and tending to the needs of others, especially those who cannot look after themselves:

   The study showed that in this country, women are responsible for the bulk of unpaid domestic and caring work.

   Empathy is important in caring professions such as nursing and social work, but avoiding burnout is also essential.

noun

1. the act or practice of showing concern for, displaying attentiveness to, or tending to the needs of others:

   In these stories, we can see what caring, compassion, and altruism look like distilled to their purest forms.

   During this nursing course, you will study caring, communication, health promotion, and infection prevention.

caring

/ ˈkɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. feeling or showing care and compassion

   a caring attitude

2. of or relating to professional social or medical care

   nursing is a caring job

noun

1. the practice or profession of providing social or medical care

Other Words From

• car·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of caring¹

First recorded in 1550–60; care ( def ), -ing ¹( def ), -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

This allows them to learn essential skills, including caring for infants and cooking as well as hunting and gathering, through a process that is often subtle and nonverbal.

From Science Daily

But caring for a special needs child made navigating the long, inflexible hours nearly impossible.

From Los Angeles Times

Although not asked directly about the report, she told the programme had "committed my life to caring and protecting children" with 27 years working in child protection.

From BBC

But where she lost her sense of safety, she and her neighbors reinforced their sense of solidarity through simple yet heroic acts of caring.

From Los Angeles Times

Mark Heywood KC, defending Alesbrook, said the defendant was "very young and very immature" at the time of the offences, but was "capable of being a very caring father figure".

From BBC

Related Words

• accessible
• advantageous
• applicable
• conducive
• constructive
• convenient
• cooperative
• crucial
• essential
• favorable
• friendly
• important
• invaluable
• practical
• productive
• profitable
• significant
• suitable
• supportive
• sympathetic